topic Re: How to Cook A Turkey Without Listed Weight in Kitchen

How to Cook A Turkey Without Listed Weight

radiancegrace — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 01:11:18 GMT

I received a turkey basket today from the VA. When I took the turkey out at home, I could not find any weight on the packaging anywhere. Any suggestions, appreciated!

Re: How to Cook A Turkey Without Listed Weight

JustJules — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 01:22:20 GMT

Put it on a scale and weigh it. Also, if you've seen similar sized turkeys you can probably guess pretty close. As long as you get within a few pounds either way it will be fine.

Re: How to Cook A Turkey Without Listed Weight

gabstoomuch — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 01:23:39 GMT

Or if your grocery store is close by, bring it in and have the meat dept weight it. ???

Re: How to Cook A Turkey Without Listed Weight

RedTop — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 01:35:31 GMT

Weigh yourself, then weigh again holding the turkey. Most of the turkeys I've been gifted in the past were 10-12 pounders.

Re: How to Cook A Turkey Without Listed Weight

coldlake — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 01:44:54 GMT

If you don't have a food or body scale, pick up something you know the weight of, such as a ten pound bag of flour, or hand weights; anything you know the weight of. Then pick up the turkey and estimate the difference. Try to be flexible when planning meal time, get the sides ready so all you need to do is reheat when the turkey is done. Enjoy it!

Re: How to Cook A Turkey Without Listed Weight

Drythe — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 02:04:24 GMT

If you are cooking it in advance use a meat thermometer. The temp. will tell you when the turkey is done no matter how much it weighs.

Enjoy!

Re: How to Cook A Turkey Without Listed Weight

Bhvbum — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 02:31:14 GMT

Is this a trick question? If not, the obvious is weigh it on your scale. Cook based on that weight and use a thermometer (should always use anyway) and check when reach temp.

Re: How to Cook A Turkey Without Listed Weight

JeanLouiseFinch — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 02:45:00 GMT

Weigh it on your home scale. If not exact, you'll be close. Then just keep an eye on it for the thing to pop out.

I made a turkey this past Sunday. I had purchased a 21.23 lb. turkey and was going to roast it stuffed. According to everything I read, it should have taken 5 hrs., but it was done A LOT sooner. I mean, it was done and I hadn't even turned the potatoes on yet. I removed the turkey from the oven, kept it in the roasting pan, and covered it with foil. When everything else was done and we were ready to slide the meat, the turkey was still hot, the stuffing came out steaming, and the meat was super moist.

Re: How to Cook A Turkey Without Listed Weight

radiancegrace — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 05:43:36 GMT

Nope, not a trick question, I do not have a home scale. Appreciate all the suggestions here. I feel confident from the suggestions, I can wing it, without knowing the weight

Re: How to Cook A Turkey Without Listed Weight

sablesong — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 05:52:46 GMT

I would spatchcock it ( butterfly, remove the spine) , then the actual weight is less relevant.

Re: How to Cook A Turkey Without Listed Weight

jaxs mom — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 05:57:11 GMT

Cook it until it's done by internal temperature. That's the only way to make sure food isn't over or undercooked anyway.

Re: How to Cook A Turkey Without Listed Weight

Rabid1 — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 06:07:32 GMT

Why weigh it? If you do not intend to stuff the bird lay it on it's breast and cut out the spine. Season and roast it flat breast side up @ 450 for about 20 minutes, baste then drop the temp to 400 for another 30 to 40 minutes. This will work about the same for a bird from 10 to 13lbs.

If you want you can also cook it @ 375 and baste regularly, it takes about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Some people break the breastbone but I don't. I like to stick a whole onions and some rosemary under the chest cavity.